Newcastle twice came from behind to snatch a point from Western Sydney in a rousing 2-2 A-League draw heavily impacted by the video assistant referee.

Former Wanderers skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley conceded two penalties to his old club before Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout did their Socceroos chances no harm with a spectacular strike apiece at Spotless Stadium on Friday night.

Late on, Newcastle were denied a lead -- and ultimately victory -- when VAR intervened for a third time in the game to...

They weren't at their exhilarating best, but Newcastle still managed to compound Melbourne Victory's A-League pain, prevailing 2-0 to hold second place on the ladder.

Nigel Boogaard scored for the first time in more than 15 months before new recruit Riley McGree came off the bench to tap home his maiden club goal at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It lifts Ernie Merrick's side seven points ahead of third-placed Melbourne City -- who play on Sunday -- and nine behind leaders Sydney FC.